# IGF-1 DES > A truncated IGF-1 missing its first three residues — sharply reduced IGFBP binding and high local potency, but short-acting. - Also known as: DES(1-3)IGF-1, des-IGF-1, DES(1-3) IGF-1 - Class: Growth Hormone - FDA approved: No - Canonical page: https://americanpeptide.com/catalog/igf-1-des ## Overview IGF-1 DES (DES(1-3)IGF-1) is native IGF-1 with the first three N-terminal residues removed — a 67-amino-acid analog. Losing that tripeptide sharply reduces its affinity for the IGF-binding proteins that normally restrain IGF-1, leaving it far more potent locally, though much shorter-acting than the extended LR3 analog. IGF-1 DES is the shortest of the common IGF-1 variants: insulin-like growth factor 1 with the first three amino acids (Gly-Pro-Glu) clipped from the N-terminus, giving a 67-residue peptide versus 70 for native IGF-1. That small deletion has an outsized effect, because the N-terminal tripeptide is part of what IGF-binding proteins grip. Removing it drops IGFBP affinity dramatically, so the peptide stays free and active rather than being sequestered. The result is a variant reported as roughly ten-fold more potent than native IGF-1 in some assays, but with a short half-life — the opposite design philosophy to IGF-1 LR3, which is engineered for extended, systemic action. IGF-1 DES is a research compound (~7.4 kDa), widely used in cell culture, not FDA-approved, and prohibited in sport. ## Mechanism IGF-1 receptor agonism with greatly reduced IGFBP binding → potent, short-lived local anabolic signaling. ## Chemistry | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Molecular weight | 7371.5 Da | | CAS number | 112603-35-7 | ## Sequence ``` TLCGAELVDALQFVCGDRGFYFNKPTGYGSSSRRAPQTGIVDECCFRSCDLRRLEMYCAPLKPAKSA ``` ## Research areas Studied in: Muscle hypertrophy, Cell proliferation, GH/IGF-1 axis. Guides on this site: - [Growth Hormone & Body Composition](https://americanpeptide.com/research-areas/growth-hormone-axis): Secretagogues studied for GH release, IGF-1, and body composition. ## Key research - Reduced IGFBP binding — removing the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptide sharply lowers affinity for IGF-binding proteins, leaving more peptide free and active. - High local potency — reported roughly ten-fold more potent than native IGF-1 in some assays, with a short duration of action. - Compared to IGF-1 LR3 — DES is short-acting and locally potent; LR3 is engineered (R3 substitution + N-terminal extension) for prolonged systemic activity. - Cell-culture use — used as a serum supplement where IGFBP-independent activity is wanted. - Preclinical / prohibited in sport — not FDA-approved; WADA-banned. ## Storage, handling & synthesis **Storage.** Lyophilized: store frozen and protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and minimize freeze–thaw — a folded, disulfide-bonded protein. **Handling.** A disulfide-bonded protein sensitive to heat, agitation, and freeze–thaw. Reconstitute gently (swirl, do not shake). **Synthesis.** DES(1-3)IGF-1 is a 67-residue analog of IGF-1 lacking the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu, produced recombinantly and folded to set IGF-1’s three disulfide bonds. As with IGF-1, correct disulfide pairing and refolding are the hard part, verified by peptide mapping and bioassay — biologic manufacturing, not solid-phase synthesis. ## FAQs ### What is IGF-1 DES? IGF-1 DES (DES(1-3)IGF-1) is a shortened form of IGF-1 missing its first three amino acids, which greatly reduces IGF-binding-protein binding and increases its local potency. ### How is it different from IGF-1 LR3? Both reduce IGFBP binding, but DES does it by truncation and is short-acting and locally potent, whereas LR3 adds modifications for long, systemic action. ### Why does removing three amino acids matter so much? The N-terminal tripeptide is part of what IGF-binding proteins grip; without it the peptide escapes sequestration and stays free and active. ### Is IGF-1 DES approved? No. It is a research compound (also common in cell culture), not FDA-approved, and prohibited in sport. This page is a research and educational reference. ## Latest research Recent trials and publications mentioning IGF-1 DES, pulled automatically from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed (unfiltered search results, refreshed daily). ### Recent trials - [An Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability Study of VRDN-003 in Participants With Chronic Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06625398) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · PHASE3 · NCT06625398 - [An Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability Study of VRDN-003 in Participants With Active Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06625411) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · PHASE3 · NCT06625411 - [A Research Study in Children Born Small and Who Stayed Small. Treatment is Somapacitan Once a Week Compared to Norditropin® Once a Day](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03878446) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · PHASE2 · NCT03878446 - [A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Perampanel Administered as an Adjunctive Therapy in Pediatric Participants With Childhood Epilepsy](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04015141) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · PHASE2 · NCT04015141 - [Safety, PK/PD (Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics) and Efficacy of ACP-001 Weekly Versus Daily hGH in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01947907) — COMPLETED · PHASE2 · NCT01947907 - [A Research Study to Compare Somapacitan Once a Week With Norditropin® Once a Day in Children Who Need Help to Grow](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05330325) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · PHASE3 · NCT05330325 --- Source: AmericanPeptide.com — https://americanpeptide.com/catalog/igf-1-des Data license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Attribution: AmericanPeptide.com. Research reference only — computational and educational content, not medical advice.